Method and apparatus for forming &#34;f&#34; oblong can bodies



G. M. FLYNN Sept. 13, 1966 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING "F" OBLONGCAN BODIES Filed April 8, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l W R mm m M E G. R O E GG. M. FLYNN Sept. 13, 1966 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING "F" OBLONGCAN BODIES Filed April 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .N MN MW WP m.

M E Q R o E G M a United States Patent Can Company, Inc., New York,N.Y., 'a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 271,252 35Claims. (Cl. 72-210) This invention provides a novel method andapparatus for reforming or deforming tubular resilient bodies to formbodies for F style cans.

The bodies for F style cans are rectangular in cross section, haverounded corners, and are commonly formed on a mandrel or horn of a bodymaking machine, such as the can body maker disclosed in United StatesPatent 2,429,169 to Paul E. Pearson, et al.

A vertical end or sectional view of the mandrel or horn has anhour-glass contour and forming wings of the body-making machine wrap acan body-blank around the mandrel until it conforms to the hour-glasscontour thereof, at which time the side seam of the can body iscompleted.

When the forming wings are reopened, the completed can body is pushedoff the forming mandrel. However, the sides of the can body may notretain the hour-glass contour of the mandrel but recover to anobjectionable slightly convexed curvature. Subsequent end seamingoperations which connect the can-ends to the can body tend to flaten thesides of the can body, but fail to completely flatten the sides.

While the hour-glass contour of the mandrel permits the rounded cornersof the can bodies to be bent excessively during formation to compensatefor the abovementioned recovery of the can bodies, this method ofcompensating for spring-back recovery is limited by the width of themandrel. That is, a mandrel can only be necked-in a certain amount, andthis amount is insufficient to preclude the spring-back of a can body toa slightly convex curvature. This is particularly true in the forming ofF style can bodies from highly tempered, light-weight tinplate.

In the development of lighter weight tinplate for use in making F stylecan bodies, it has been found necessary to increase the temper of thetinplate when the thickness thereof is decreased in order tosufficiently strengthen the thinner tinplate. However, existing mandrelsor horns frequently cannot be used for making F style cans from athinner, highly tempered tinplate because the concavities forming thehour-glass contoured mandrel cannot be concavely increased in curvaturean amount sufficient to compensate for the recovery characteristics ofhighly tempered tinplate. In other words, an increase in the temper ofthe tinplate cause the side of an F style can body formed on aconventional mandrel to return to an objectionable convexly curvedcontour approaching an ellipse when the can body is removed from themandrel.

The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned objectionableconvexly-curved F style can bodies by providing a novel method which mayinclude an initial step of forming a relatively thin and highly temperedcan body-blank on a conventional round or hour-glass mandrel of a bodymaking machine to an ellipsoidal shape of the character above-described.Subsequently, these elliptical bodies are transported between aplurality of guiding and forming rollers which overbend the bodies byexteriorly applied forces which reform the bodies to an hour-glasscontour. Upon removal of the bodies from between the guiding and formingrollers, the spring-back recovery of the bodies causes the same toreturn to a 3,271,984 Patented Sept. 13, 1966 "ice rectangularcross-sectional outline. This overbending of can bodies beyond a pointwhich precludes the recovery of the bodies to a convexly curved contouris achieved by a novel apparatus, devoid of mandrels or other suchsimilar internal shaping mechanisms which prevent optimum overbending ofcan bodies, for reforming the bodies by applying forces to only exteriorportions of the can bodies.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a novel method andapparatus for reforming tubular resilient can bodies by overbending thebodies to compensate for the spring-back recovery characteristicsthereof whereby polygonal shaped F style can bodies are formed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel apparatus forforming F style can bodies from lighter weight, higher tempered tinplatethan heretofore possible by conventional forming apparatus.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel deformingor reforming mechanism which includes a plurality of cooperativeconvexly contoured guiding and forming rollers which are arranged toform a generally hour-glass opening through which can bodies aretransported and exteriorly deformed.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a noveldeforming or reforming mechanism which includes a plurality of convexlycontoured guiding and forming rollers and a plurality of conveyor beltscooperative therewith for transporting can bodies through the guidingand forming rollers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novellongitudinally extending, axially accessible reforming mechanismincluding a transport mechanism for establishing a predetermined path oftravel for can-bodies through the longitudinally extending member, andWherein the longitudinally extending member is provided with a pluralityof guide-forming means having opposed convexly curved surfaces, thecurvature of which progressively increases along the length of thelongitudinally extending member to define a converging path of travelfor the can-bodies.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a novellongitudinally extending axially open guideforming apparatus consistingof a plurality of converging rods arranged in a generally hour-glassconfiguration around a transport mechanism for solely outwardlyconcavely indenting can-bodies while the same are being transportedthrough the guide-forming mechanism.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a novellongitudinally extending axially open guideforming apparatus consistingof a peripherally closed elongated tapered tubular member of a generallyhourglass configuration around a transport mechanism for solelyoutwardly concavely indenting can-bodies while the same are beingtransported through the guide-forming mechanism.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a novelapparatus for deforming or reforming longitudinal edges of resilienttubular can bodies by providing a plurality of opposed concavely curvedrollers disposed on opposite sides of a transport mechanism and arrangedthereabout to deform the longitudinal edges of the can bodiestransported therebetween to a generally hour-glass cross-sectionalconfiguration.

Another object of this invention is to provide deforming or reformingmechanism of the character above described which includes a transportmechanism cooperative with each of the plurality of guiding and formingrollers to transport can-bodies therebetween.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel method ofproducing F style can bodies by indenting opposite sides of a tubularbody, terminating this indenting, and subsequently releasing andpermitting the indented portions to reshape themselves to form a fiatsided F style can body.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by areference to the following detailed description, the appended claims andthe several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view with parts broken away, andillustrates a reforming apparatus constructed in accordance with thisinvention including a plurality of convexly curved opposed rollersdisposed on opposite sides of a converging longitudinally extendingaxially open path, a plurality of opposed concavely curved longitudinaledge rollers, and a plurality of opposed conveyor belts for transportingcan-bodies along the converging path.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 22 of FIGURE 1, and shows the differences in curvature of theplurality of convexly curved opposed rollers, and the opposed concavelycurved longitudinal edge rollers.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2, andillustrates a generally hourglass contoured opening enclosed by theconvexly curved rollers and the concavely curved longitudinal edgerollers, and a can body, in phantom lines, within the opening.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4of FIGURE 1, and additionally illustrates the relationship of theplurality of convexly curved opposed rollers.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 55 of FIGURE 2,and illustrates one of two pair of rollers cooperatively driving anupper conveyor belt run of one of the plurality of opposed conveyorbelts.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional view of a modified reforming apparatus,similar to the reforming apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 1-4, and showstwo pair of opposed concavely curved rollers which exteriorly deformonly the longitudinal edges of a can body to reform the same to ahour-glass contour.

FIGURE 7 is an end perspective view of a modified reforming apparatus,similar to the apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 1-4 and 6, andillustrates a plurality of longitudinally extending rods arranged in agenerally hour-glass cross-sectional configuration.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of a F style can body formed by anyone of the reforming mechanisms illustrated in FIGURES 1-7, and clearlyillustrates in phantom lines the hour-glass contour of the can bodyimmediately before removal of the can body from any one of the reformingmechanisms of FIGURES 1-7.

A deforming or reforming apparatus constructed in accordance with thisinvention for forming F style can-bodies is illustrated in FIGURES 1-4of the drawings, and is generally designated by reference numeral 10.The reforming or deforming apparatus 10 includes a plurality oflongitudinally spaced and axially aligned guide-forming means 11, 12 and13. The guide-forming means 11, 12 and 13 are maintained in spacedrelation and axial alignment by a plurality of longitudinally extendingsupports 14. Each of the guide-forming means 11, 12 and 13 is fixedlysecured to each of the supports 14 by suitable means (not shown), suchas screws or by welding.

Each of the plurality of guide-forming means 11, 12 and 13 includes aguide block 15. Since each of the guide blocks 15 are substantiallysimilar, a description of the guide block 15 of the guide-forming means11 is considered suflicient for a complete understanding of theinvention. As is best illustrated in FIGURE 1, each of the guide blocks15 includes a generally cross-shaped ,7 4 opening 16. The opening 16decreasesin height and width from left to right as is best illustratedin FIGURE 2 to define a generally converging open path through thereforming apparatus 10.

The cross-shaped opening 16 of FIGURE 3 includes an upper, downwardlyopening portion 17 and a lower, upwardly opening portion 18. Inwardlyopening opposed portions 20 and 21 form the arms of the cross-shapedopenings 16. The downwardly opening portion 17 and the upwardly openingportion 18 are each traversed by an identical threaded bolt 22 insertedthrough access apertures 23 in the guide block 15. A threaded end 24 ofeach of the bolts 22 is threadably secured in a threaded aperture 25 inaxial alignment with each of the access apertures 23, as is clearlyshown in FIGURE 3. The inwardly opening portions 20 and 21 are similarlytraversed by a threaded bolt 26 inserted through each of two accessapertures 27. Identical threaded ends 28 of the bolts 26 are eachreceived in a threaded aperture 30 in axial alignment with itsassociated access aperture 27. It should be noted that each of thethreaded apertures 25 open into the access apertures 27, while thethreaded apertures 30, 30 open into each of the access apertures 23.This construction allows the ends 24 of the bolts 22 to bear against thebolts 26 to additionally secure the bolts 26 in the guide block 15. Thebolts 22 are similarly securely maintained within the guide block 15 bythe abutting ends 28 of the bolts 26.

As is best illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, one set orstand of opposed convexly curved guiding and forming rollers 31, 32 and33 is journalled in a respective one of the cross-shaped openings 16 inthe guide forming means 13, 12 and 11 by the bolts 22 and 26. Each ofthe three sets of guiding and forming rollers 31, 32 and 33 includes afirst pair of guide-forming rollers 34, and 36, respectively. Eachroller of the first pair of guide-forming rollers 34, 35 and 36 issubstantially identical to any of the other rollers and differstherefrom only in the convex curvature thereof. That is, the rollers ofthe first pair of guide-forming rollers 34 are less convexly curved thanthe rollers of the first pair of guide-forming rollers 35 or 36. Thus,the convex curvature of the first pair of guide-forming rollers 34, 35and 36 progressively increases from left to right as shown in FIGURE 2,thereby defining a generally converging predetermined path.

Each of the three sets of opposed convexly curved guiding and formingrollers 31, 32 and 33 includes a second pair of concave guide-formingrollers 37, 38 and 39, respectively. Each roller of the second pair ofguideforming rollers 37, 38 and 39 is identical to any of the otherrollers of the second pair of guide-forming rollers except fordifferences in the concave curvature thereof.

Since the sets of guiding and forming rollers 31, 32 and 33 aresubstantially identical, a description of the pair 33 shown in FIGURE 3is believed sufiicient to enable one skilled in the art to practice thisinvention. As was heretofore noted, the sets of guiding and formingrollers 33 includes a first pair of guide-forming rollers 36. The firstpair of guide-forming rollers 36 includes two identical rollers 40 whichare axially apertured at 41. Each of the rollers 40 includes an axiallyextending convexly curved peripheral groove 42 presenting inwardlydirected opposed convex surfaces 43. End portions 44 of the rollers 40are identically contoured to present inwardly directed opposed concavesurfaces 45. A conveyor belt .47 is entrained over each of the rollers40 and confined within the grooves 42 thereof. Each of the conveyorbelts 47 extends the length of the reforming apparatus 10 and convergefrom left to right as viewed in FIGURE 1. Innermost runs 48 of theconveyor belts 47 intimately abut the convex opposing surfaces 43 of therollers 40, and present a smooth, uninterrupted surface between the ends44 of each of the rollers 40. The conveyor belts 47 are driven in adirection indicated by the arrows shown in FIGURE 1 by a drivingmechanism DM which will be more fully described hereafter.

A roller 49 is journalled Within each of the downwardly and upwardlyopening portions 17 and 18, respectively, of the cross-shaped opening16. The rollers 49, 49 make up the second pair of guide-forming rollers39 hereinbefore mentioned. Each of the rollers 49 is axially aperturedat 50 and thus journalled upon a respective one of the bolts 22. Anannular groove 51 in each of the rollers 49 has an identical conveyorbelt 53 entrained thereabout.

Innermost conveyor belt runs 54 of the conveyor belts 53 are driven in adirection indicated by the arrows in FIGURE 1, and similarly convergealong the length of the reforming apparatus 10. The direction ofmovement of the conveyor belt runs 48 'and 54, as well as the linearvelocity thereof, is identical. The conveyor belts 47 and 53 therebycooperate to form a transport mechanism for transporting can bodies theentire length of the forming apparatus 10.

The rollers 40 and 49 are arranged in the cross-shaped opening 16 of theguide block to form an axially accessible opening 0 of a generallyhour-glass contour, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 3. The other twosets of opposed convexly curved guiding and forming rollers 31 and 32journalled in the guide-forming means 13 and 12, respectively, aresimilarly arranged in a generally hourglass contour. Thus, the threesets of opposed convexly curved guiding and forming rollers 31, 32 and33 cooperate to define a longitudinally extending, axially open paththrough which can bodies, such as the can body C, may be transported bythe conveyer belts 47 and 53. In addition, because the convex curvatureof the sets of guiding and forming rollers 31, 32 and 33 progressivelyincreases, as is best shown in FIGURE 2, the longitudinally extendinghour-glass opening 0 converges from left to right as viewed in FIGURES land 2.

Thus, after a can body has been initially formed on a conventional roundor hour-glass mandrel of a body making machine, the ellipsoidal can bodyis transported (by means not shown) to the reforming apparatus 10 andenters the apparatus 10 between the least convexly curved set of opposedguiding and forming rollers 31. The conveyor belt runs 48 and 54 drawsthe can body into the hour-glass opening 0 formed by the rollers 31. Theslight convex curvature of the guiding and forming rollers 31 causesportions of the ellipsoidal can body to neck-in slightly and conform tothe hour-glass contour of the opening 0 thereof. As the innermost runs48 and 54 of the conveyor belts 47 and 53 transport the can bodyprogressively through the guide-forming means 12 and 11, the necked-inportions or sides of the can body are further indented because of theincreased convex curvature of the guiding and forming rollers 32 and 33until the can body is formed to the hour-glass cross-sectionalconfiguration illustrated in FIGURE 3. Inasmuch as a can body, such asthe can body C shown in FIGURE 3, is supported only on the exteriorthereof during its travel with the conveyor belts 47 and 53, the roundedcorners and side panels thereof are overbent or indented to com pensatefor over-recovery of the side panels. That is, the openings 0 allow thecan body C to be indented or necked-in in an unrestricted manner andconsequently, the convex curvature of the forming rollers 31, 32 and 33can be increased to an extent necessary so that the return positions ofthe side panels of an F style can body made from thinner, highertempered tin-plate will lie Within required limits and maintaincross-sectional configuration illustrated in solid lines in FIGURE 8.

It is also important to note that the height of the can body isprogressively reduced as it progresses through the reforming apparatus10 due to the necking-in of the can body while reforming the same to thehour-glass contour. Furthermore, the corners of the can body areincreased in curvature during the necking-in of the can body. Theseconditions are comparatively illustrated in FIG- TABLE I Circular CornerParabolic Panel Flat rc Arc Panel R A L H CL Last Reforming Station .412130 I 2. 394 446 I .464

In FIGURE 6 there is shown a reforming or deforming apparatus comprisinga guide-forming means 60. Additional guide-forming means (not shown) aremaintained in spaced relation and axial alignment with the guide-formingmeans by a plurality of supports 61, in the manner clearly illustratedin FIGURE 1 of the drawings. The guide-forming means 60 includes a guideblock 62 having a generally cross-shaped opening 63. A concave curvedguiding .and forming roller 64 is journal-led in a downwardly openingportion 65 of the cross-shaped opening 63 by means of a threaded bolt 66in a manner clearly illustrated in FIGURE 5. Similarly, an identicalconcavely curved guiding and forming roller 64 is journalled on anidentical threaded bolt 66 in an upwardly opening portion 67 of thecross-shaped opening 63. An annular groove 68 is provided in each of therollers 64. Entrained about each of the rollers 64 and retained withinthe grooves 68 is an identical conveyor belt 71. Inner most conveyorbelt runs 72 of the conveyor belts 71 are adapted to move a can bodytherewith in the same manner and direction as the conveyor belt runs 54illustrated in FIGURE 2.

The cross-shaped opening 6-3 also includes a pair of inwardly openingportions 73. An identical threaded bolt 74 traverses each of theopenings 73, and is threadably secured in the guide block 62 in a manneridentical to the attachment of the bolts 26 in the guide block 15. Twoidentical rollers 75 are journalled on each bolt 74 and have a concaveperiphery. The rollers are retained by suitable means (not shown) inspaced relation to each other and in opposed relation to the rollers onthe other bolt 74. The guiding and forming rollers 64 and 75, and theconveyor belt runs 72 are cooperatively arranged to form an axiallyaccessible opening 0. It should be noted that only the rollers 64 and 75cooperate to reform the can body C and the necking-in of the side panelsthereof is caused by the rollers 75 engaging and reforming only therounded corners of the can body C. Unrestricted overbending of therounded corners of the can body C to compensate for over-recovery of theside panels of the can body C is accomplished by again supporting thecan body C only on the exterior thereof during its travel with theconveyor belt runs 72. Consequently, the concave curvature of therollers 75 can be increased to an extent necessary to allow the sidepanels of an F style can body to recover from the hour-glasscross-sectional configuration illustrated in phantom lines in FIGURE 6to the crosssectional configuration illustrated in FIGURE 8.

Another reforming or deforming apparatus is shown in FIGURE 7 of thedrawings and is generally designated by the reference numeral '80. Thereforming apparatus includes a plurality of guide-forming means 81. Theguide-forming means 81 comprise a plurality of longitudinally extendingcylindrical rods. The plurality of longitudinally extending rods arearranged to form a frame or cage 82 of a generally hour-glasscross-sectional configuration. The spaced rods 81 of the cage 80 arecontoured longitudinally so that the reformation of a can body C will becompleted when the can body C leaves the cage '80. That is, a gradualprogressively necking-in of the can body C will result when the can bodyC is transported from an open entrance end (not shown) of the cage 82 toan open exit end 83 thereof.

Can bodies are transported through the cage 82 by a first pair ofopposed conveyor belt runs 84 and a second pair of opposed conveyor beltruns 85. The conveyor belt runs 84 and 85 extend the entire longitudinalextent of the cage 82 and are driven in the direction of the arrows by adrive mechanism which is not shown. Each of the conveyor belt runs 85 isinwardly convexly bowed and retained in the bowed condition by aplurality of 'rods 87 of the plurality of longitudinally extendingcylindrical rods 81. In this manner, the cage 82 forms an axiallyaccessible hour-glass contoured opening and co operates with theconveyor belt runs 84 and 85 to progressively exteriorly reform the canbody C to compensate for over-recovery of the side panels thereof. Bysolely supporting the exteriors of can bodies being transported throughthe cage 82, the convex curvature of the cage 82 can be increased to "anextent whereby highly tempered, thin can bodies willreturn from thereformed position shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 8 to the F stylecontour illustrated therein in solid lines.

As has been heretofore noted in connection with FIG- URES 1 through 4 ofthe drawings, the innermost conveyor belt runs 54 of the conveyor belts56 are moved by a drive mechanism DM in the direction indicated by thearrows of FIGURE 1. The drive or driving mechanism DM includes asubstantially rectangular drive roller support 90 secured to each of thesupports .14 by suitable means (not shown) between t-he guide-formingmeans 11 and 12 of the reforming apparatus '10. The substantiallyrectangular drive roller support 90 includes a pair of upstandingparallel side walls 91 and 92. A drive roller 93 having a shaft 94secured thereto is journalled by suitable bearings 95 between identicalapertures 96 in an uppermost portion of the respective side walls 91 and92. As is best illustrated in FIGURE of the drawings, a drive sprocket97 is secured to the shaft 94 of the drive roller 93.

An identical elongated, vertical slot 98 is formed in each of the sidewalls 91 and 92 directly below the apertures 96. An idler roller 99having a shaft 100 is journalled between the side walls 91 and 92 of theroller support 90 by the elongated slots 98. An identical biasing spring1011 in each of the elongated slots 98 urges the idler roller 99 towardthe drive roller 93. The uppermost conveyor belt run of the conveyorbelt 53 is positioned between the rollers 93 and 99 and therebyfrictionally driven from right-to-left in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

A roller 102 including a shaft 106 and a drive sprocket .10 4, identicalto the drive roller 93, the shaft 94 and the drive sprocket 97 ismounted between lower portions of the side walls 9 1 and 92 in a mannersubstantially identical to that illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings.Wise, an idler roller 105 having a shaft 106 is biasingly journaled in apair of identical elongated slots 107 by each of two identicalcompression springs 108, again in a manner identical to that clearlyshown in FIGURE 5 of the drawings and .a discussion of which is deemedunnecessary.

As is best shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, a motor M is supportedadjacent the side wall 92 of the drive mechanism DM by any suitablemeans (not shown). The motor M includes an output shaft '109 to which issecured a sprocket 110. A drive chain 111 is entrained about thesprockets 97, 104, and 110.

As the sprocket 110 of the motor M rotates in a clockwise direction, asviewed in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the drive roller 93 is rotated in aclockwise direction causing left-to-right movement of the lower conveyorbelt run 54 of the top conveyor belt 53. This same clockwise rotation ofthe sprocket 110 drives the sprocket 104 and the Likedrive roller 1102in a clockwise direction imparting left-toright motion to the conveyorbelt run 54 of the lower conveyor belt 53 of FIGURE 2. Thus, a pluralityof canbodies may be transported from left-to-right as viewed in FIGURES1 and 2 of the drawings through the reforming mechanism 10 by theopposed conveyor belt runs 54 of the conveyor belt 53. Since the driverollers 93 and 102 drive the outermost conveyor belt runs of theconveyor belts 53 and in non-interferring spaced relationship withrespect to the innermost conveyor belt runs 54 of the opposed conveyorbelts 53, a can body is supported solely exteriorly thereof whentransported by the innermost conveyor belt runs 54.

While various forms of reforming or deforming structures have beendisclosed herein, it is to be understood that various modificationsthereof would be apparent and are Within the scope of this invention.For example, the longitudinally extending rods 87 of the cage 82 shownin FIGURE 7 could be omitted if considered necessary or desirable, andthe remaining rods located at the rounded corners of the can body Cwould cause the side panels thereof to concavely neck-in during thereforming operation. Similarly the rods at the corners of the can body Ccould be replaced by a plurality of solid arcuately-shapedlongitudinally extending converging bars or the cage 82 could beconstructed as an entirely peripherally closed, elongated, taperedtubular member.

It is also conceivable that the F style can bodies may be preformed intocylindrical shape on a cylindrical mandrel of a body making machineinstead of into an ellipsoidal shape on an hour-glass mandrel.

If only minor reformation of can bodies is required, it may beaccomplished by feeding the can bodies between a single guide-formingmeans, such as the guideforming means 11, 12 or 13 shown in FIGURE 1.

While example disclosures of different types of reforming apparatus forforming F style can bodies are shown herein, it is to be understood thatchanges in the disclosed structures and arrangements may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention Ias defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for deforming substantially hollow cylindrical flexiblemetallic bodies into F" style can bodies comprising a generallyelongated support, means defining a predetermined path of travel forcylindrical bodies through said support, said path defining meansincluding transport means for transporting cylindrical bodies interiorlyof and through said support along said predetermined path, means forshaping the cylindrical bodies to a generally hour-glass transversecross-sectional configuration without imparting a permanent set to thecan bodies whereby the can bodies can rebound to a generally rectangulartransverse cross-sectional configuration after departing saidpredetermined path, said predetermined path being a completely openedelongated area devoid of auxiliary forming mechanisms, and said shapingmeans comprising the sole means for shaping the cylindrical bodies tothe hour-glass cross-sectional configuration thereof.

2. Apparatus for deforming substantially hollow cylindrical bodies intoF style can bodies comprising a transport mechanism defining apredetermined path of travel for said cylindrical bodies, guide-formingmeans cooperative with said transport mechanism for guiding anddeforming the cylindrical bodies being transported by said transportmechanism, a plane through said guideforming means and said transportmechanism transverse to said path of travel defining an open area of agenerally hour-glass configuration whereby the can bodies are deformedby said guide-forming means to a generally hour-glass cross-sectionalconfiguration, said guide-forming means being provided with surfacesenclosing portions of said open area and comprising the sole means fordeforming portions of the cylindrical bodies to a substantiallyhour-glass cross-sectional configuration.

3. The apparatus for deforming substantially hollow cylindrical bodiesinto F style can bodies as defined in claim 2 wherein said guide-formingmeans include a plurality of individual guide members disposed alongsaid predetermined path.

4. The apparatus for deforming substantially hollow cylindrical bodiesinto F style can bodies as defined in claim 3 wherein said plurality ofindividual guide forming members enclose portions of said predeterminedpath.

-5. Apparatus for deforming substantially hollow cylindrical bodies intoF style can bodies comprising a transport mechanism defining apredetermined path of travel for said cylindrical bodies, guide-formingmeans cooperative with said transport mechanism for guiding anddeforming the cylindrical bodies being transported by said transportmechanism, a plane through said guideforming means and said transportmechanism transverse to said path of travel defining an open area of agen-- erally hour-glass configuration whereby the can bodies aredeformed by said guide-forming means to a generally hour-glasscross-sectional configuration, said guideforming means being providedwith surfaces enclosing portions of said open area and comprising thesole means for deforming portions of the cylindrical bodies to asubstantially hour-glass cross-sectional configuration, said surfacesincluding at least two convexly opposed guide-forming surfaces wherebytwo opposed portions of cylindrical bodies transported by said transportmechanism are outward concavely deformed.

6. Apparatus for deforming substantially elliptical hollow resilientbodies into F style can bodies comprising a transport mechanism, saidtransport mechanism including two opposed movable portions defining apredetermined path of travel for transporting said elliptical bodiestherebetween, guide-forming means including at least two opposedconvexly curved surfaces arranged at opposite sides of saidpredetermined path, a plane through said two opposed movable portionsand the opposed convex surfaces transverse to said predetermined pathdefining an area of a generally hourglass configuration wherebyelliptical bodies transported to and deformed by said guide-formingmeans assume a substantially hour-glass cross-sectional configurationand upon inactivation of said guide-forming means recover to F stylecontoured can bodies.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said two opposed movableportions comprise conveyor belt runs.

8. Apparatus for reforming substantially resilient tubular bodies into Fstyle can bodies comprising a longitudinally extending axiallyaccessible member having first and second open ends, said memberincluding a transport mechanism defining a path of travel for tubularbodies between said first and second open ends, said member furtherincluding a plurality of guide-forming means disposed along saidpredetermined path, said guide-forming means including at least twoopposed convexly curved surfaces at opposite sides of said predeterminedpath, a plane through said transport mechanism and said guideformingmeans transverse to said predetermined path anywhere between said firstand second ends defining an area of a generally hour-glass configurationwhereby resilient tubular bodies are exteriorly reformed to a generallyhour-glass cross-sectional configuration and upon removal from one ofsaid ends recover to the contour of F style can bodies.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the curvature of saidopposed convexly curved surfaces increases from said first to secondopen end whereby the predetermined path is caused to converge betweenthe ends of said member.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said transport mechanismincludes two opposed conveyor belt runs extending between the ends ofthe axially accessible member along said predetermined path, and aplurality of said opposed convexly curved surfaces are arranged toguidingly maintain said conveyor belt runs for movement along saidpredetermined path.

11. Apparatus for reforming the sides of resilient hollow tubular bodiesto form F style cans comprising a transport mechanism for moving aplurality of tubular bodies along a predetermined path, guide-formingmeans on opposite sides of said predetermined path for deforming tubularbodies transported therebetween, said guideforming means including afirst pair of guide-forming rollers having convexly opposed surfaceseffective to indent the resilient sides of tubular bodies to an outwardconcave shape, and means adjacent the convexly opposed surfaces andcooperative therewith to confine the reformed tubular bodies in agenerally hour-glass crosssectional configuration.

,12. Apparatus for reforming the sides of resilient hollow tubularbodies to form F style cans comprising a transport mechanism for movinga plurality of tubular bodies along a predetermined path, guide-formingmeans on opposite sides of said predetermined path for reforming tubularbodies transported therebetween, said guideforming means including afirst pair of guide-forming rollers having convexly opposed surfaceseffective to indent the resilient sides of tubular bodies to an outwardconcave shape, and means adjacent the convexly opposed surfaces andcooperative therewith .to confine the reformed tubular bodies in agenerally hour-glass crosssectional configuration, said last mentionedmeans includ ing a second opposed pair of guide-forming rollers, and aplane transverse to said predetermined path through said first andsecond pair of guide-forming rollers defining an area of a generallyhour-glass configuration.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said transport meansincludes at least one conveyor belt for transporting can bodies alongsaid predetermined path.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said second pair ofguide-forming rollers has concavely opposing surfaces.

15. Apparatus for reforming the sides of resilient hollow tubular bodiesto form F style cans comprising a transport mechanism for moving aplurality of tubular bodi'es along a predetermined path, guide-formingmeans on opposite sides of said predetermined path for reforming tubularbodies transported therebetween, said guideforming means including afirst pair of guide-forming rollers having convexly opposed surfaceseffective to indent the resilient sides of tubular bodies to an outwardconcave shape, and means adjacent the convexly opposed surfaces andcooperative therewith to confine the reformed tubular bodies in agenerally hour-glass crosssectional configuration, said last mentionedmeans and the air of guide-forming rollers providing the sole means forreforming said can body.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein first additional pairsof said first pair of guide-forming rollers are provided in alignmenttherewith and arranged on opposed sides of said predetermined path, eachof said first additional pairs of guide-forming rollers having convexlyopposed surfaces, the convex curvature of each of said first additionalpairs of guide-forming rollers differing from any of the others of saidfirst additional pairs and from the said first pair of guide-formingrollers.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein the different convexcurvature of said rollers causes said predetermined path to convergelengthwise thereof.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said last mentionedmeans comprises second additional opposed pairs of rollers, each rollerof said second additional opposed pairs of rollers being adjacent eachroller of said first additional pairs of rollers, thereby forming aplurality of longitudinally disposed pairs of rollers, a plane througheach of said longitudinally spaced pairs of rollers defining a generallyhour-glass shaped open area.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein means are provided onsaid plurality of rollers, said transport mechanism comprising aplurality of conveyor belt runs, each of said conveyor belt runs beingadapted to drive said rollers through said means on said plurality ofrollers.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein the means on saidplurality of rollers are peripheral grooves adapted to confine theconveyor belt runs therein.

21. An apparatus for reforming the sides of resilient tubular bodies toform P style cans comprising a longitudinally extending axially openguide-forming means, a transport mechanism for transporting can bodiesthrough said guide-forming means, the cross-sectional configuration ofsaid guide-forming means being of a generally hour-glass configuration,said guide-forming means solely outward-concavely indenting the sides ofresilient hollow tubular bodies.

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said longitudinallyextending guide-forming means comprise a plurality of rods.

23. The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said transportmechanism includes at least one conveyor belt run.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said transportmechanism includes a plurality of conveyor belt runs, each run beingconfined within said guideforming means.

25. An apparatus for deforming longitudinal edges of resilient hollowtubular bodies to form. F style cans including a transport mechanismdefining a predetermined path and guide-forming means, said transportmechanism being adapted to transport can bodies to and beyond saidguide-forming means, said guide-forming means including first and secondconcavely opposed pairs of surfaces and each of said concavely opposedsurfiaces concavely opening toward a single vertical planelongitudinally of said predetermined path.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein means are provided between each ofsaid first and'second concavely opposed pairs of surfaces andcooperative therewith to deform the longitudinal edges of a resilientcan body thereby deforming the can body to a generally hourglasscross-sectional configuration.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said guide-forming means and saidlast mentioned means are guideforming rollers.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said transport means includes atleast a first conveyor belt run cooperative with a guide-forming rollerof said last mentioned means and at least a second conveyor belt runadjacent said first mentioned conveyor belt run and cooperativetherewith.

29. A method of producing F style can bodies from a tubular resilientbody comprising the steps of indentin-g opposite sides of the tubularbody while maintaining the hollow interior of the tubular body free frominternal forming means, terminating the indenting when the indentedportions are concave outwardly, and releasing the indented portions andpermitting the same to reshape themselves by outward springing from theindented concave form to a flat planar form.

30. A method of producing F style can bodies with polygonal sides from aresilient tubular body comprising the steps of indenting opposite sidesof the tubular body while maintaining the hollow interior of the tubularbody free from internal forming means, detaining other portions of thetubular body against movement from the axis of the tubular body,terminating the indenting when the indented portions are concaveoutwardly, and releasing the indented portions and permitting the sameto reshape themselves by outward springing from the indented concaveform to a flat planar form.

31. A method of producing.F- style can bodies with polygonal sides froma hollow tubular body of a gen-.

erally elliptical cross-sectional configuration comprising the steps ofexteriorly indenting opposite sides of the tubular body While detainingadjacent sides of said body against movement, and releasing the indentedsides and permitting the same to reshape themselves by outward springingfrom the indented concave form to a flat planar form.

32. A method of producing F style can bodies with polygonal sides from asheet metal can-iblanlc comprising the steps of forming a flat blank toan hour-glass contour on a mandrel of a can body making machine,removing the formed body from the mandrel causing the body to reform toa generally elliptical cross-sectional configuration, exteriorlyindenting portions of the body while detaining other portions thereofagainst movement to deform the body to an hour-glass contour andsubsequently permitting the body to reshape itself by outward springingto a polygonally sided body.

33. An apparatus for reforming the sides of resilient tubular bodies toform F style cans comprising a lon-' gitudinally extending axially openguide-forming means, a transport mechanism for transporting can bodiesthrough said guide-forming means, the cross-sectional con-figuration ofsaid guide-forming means being of a generally hour-glass configuration,said guide-forming means solely outward-concavely indenting the sides ofresilient hollow tubular bodies, said longitudinally extendingguide-forming means being a tubular member having an open entrance endand an open exit end, and said tubular member converging from said openentrance end to said open exit end to thereby define a gen erallyaxially accessible hour-glass contoured converging passage.

34. The apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said transportmechanism includes at least one conveyor belt run.

35. The apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said transportmechanism includes a plurality of conveyor belt runs, each run beingconfined within said converging tubular member. 9

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 402,140 4/1889Carr 72-210 1,736,331 11/1929 Townsend 72702 2,073,174 3/1937 Potter72-702 2,660,936 12/1953 Livacich et al 113-115 2,850,998 9/1958Williams 113-115 3,056,447 10/1962 Powell et al 1131 15 0 CHARLES w.LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

W. JUST, Assistant Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR DEFORMING SUBSTANTIALLY HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL FLEXIBLEMETALLIC BODIES INTO "F" STYLE CAN BODIES COMPRISING A GENERALLYELONGATED SUPPORT, MEANS DEFINING A PREDETERMINED PATH OF TRAVEL FORCYLINDRICAL BODIES THROUGH SAID SUPPORT, SAID PATH DEFINING MEANSINCLUDING TRANSPORT MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING CYLINDRICAL BODIES INTERIORLYOF AND THROUGH SAID SUPPORT ALONG SAID PREDETERMINED PATH, MEANS FORSHAPING THE CYLINDRICAL BODIES TO A GENERALLY HOUR-GLASS TRANSVERSECROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION WITHOUT IMPARTING A PREMANENT SET TO THECAN BODIES WHEREBY THE CAN BODIES CAN REBOUND TO A GENERALLY RECTANGULARTRANSVERSE CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION AFTER DEPARTING SAIDPREDETERMINED PATH, SAID PREDETERMINED PATH BEING A COMPLETELY OPENEDELONGATED AREA DEVOID OF AUXILIARY FORMING MECHANISMS, AND SAID SHAPINGMEANS COMPRISING THE SOLE MEANS FOR SHAPING THE CYLINDRICAL BODIES TOTHE HOUR-GLASS CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION THEREOF.